Gulf lobbying

DOJ orders affiliate of Qatar-backed Al Jazeera to register as foreign agent

The Department of Justice accused AJ+ of acting "at the direction and control” of Qatar.

Al-Monitor Staff | Gulf | Sep 16, 2020

This picture taken on December 5, 2019, shows a general view of the newsroom at the headquarters of the Qatar-based al-Jazeera satellite news channel in the capital Doha. - Qatar-based broadcaster Al-Jazeera has travelled a long and bumpy road from the early 2000s when it was best known for airing tapes of former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. It now cultivates a loyal youth audience on social media alongside the satellite channels which have won it both acclaim and scorn. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (P

This picture taken on Dec. 5, 2019, shows a general view of the newsroom at the headquarters of the Qatar-based Al Jazeera satellite news channel in the capital Doha.

Justice Department ordered Turkish TV station to register as foreign agent

The decision came amid an intensifying push by the Donald Trump administration and Congress to get foreign media outlets to register.

Aaron Schaffer | Qatar | Mar 19, 2020

U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan pose for a family photo during the annual NATO heads of government summit at the Grove Hotel in Watford, Britain December 4, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/Pool - RC2COD9N7WI1

Saudi Arabia turns to Democrat-tied lobbyists for Capitol Hill relationship advice

The Williams Group is the 10th firm hired by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Washington and the ministry of foreign affairs.

Aaron Schaffer | Saudi Arabia | Feb 10, 2020

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES - JUNE 17: Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud (L), Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia and US President Barack Obama meet at White House in Washington, D.C, USA on June 17, 2016. (Photo by Pool/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Why the UAE is paying for America’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai

The UAE contribution comes after Expo 2020 Dubai organizers signed a $1 million lobbying contract to promote the world’s fair in the United States.

Aaron Schaffer | United Arab Emirates | Jan 15, 2020

An aerial view taken after the recent crowning of Al Wasl dome shows the progress of construction at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in this undated picture obtained September 19, 2019. Expo 2020/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC176324ED10

UAE hires its second former Samantha Power aide to defend itself at UN

The UAE has tapped a former aide to Barack Obama’s UN ambassador as the country faces blistering criticism at the world body.

Aaron Schaffer | United Arab Emirates | Dec 18, 2019

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power addresses media following a United Nations Security Council vote, aimed at ensuring that U.N. officials can monitor evacuations from besieged parts of the Syrian city of Aleppo, at the United Nations in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., December 19, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly - RC16DD561260

Middle East lobbyists pay op-ed writers to sell their message

A Kuwaiti firm and an armed Iranian opposition group are some of the latest examples of lobbyists paying for positive press coverage.

Aaron Schaffer | Kuwait | Dec 4, 2019

A man reads a newspaper story about Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump as people gather to protest against Trump on the sidewalk, outside the grand opening of his new Trump International Hotel in Washington, U.S. October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - S1AEUJFELYAA

Intel: Democrats double down on probe into Trump’s Saudi nuclear dealings

House Democrats on Tuesday shed more light on a years-long lobbying campaign in which Saudi Arabia and the US nuclear industry worked with some of President Donald Trump’s key allies to secure a favorable civil nuclear agreement.

Bryant Harris | Saudi Arabia | Jul 30, 2019

Colony Capital CEO Tom Barrack speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar - HT1EC7M04VDBL

Lawmaker-turned-Saudi lobbyist raises eyebrows with campaign donations

Former Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., donated $1,000 to a key lawmaker the same day he lobbied his office on behalf of the Saudis — a common practice in Washington.

Bryant Harris | Congress | Jan 18, 2019

U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) (L) and Representative Buck McKeon (R-CA) (R), chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, with Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) (C), hold a news conference to talk about progress between the two chambers on the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2014, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington December 9, 2013. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) - GM1E9CA0IUV01

Intel: How Khashoggi’s disappearance is upending $50 million Gulf lobby

Al-Monitor Staff | Saudi Arabia | Oct 16, 2018

Gulf lobbying

DOJ orders affiliate of Qatar-backed Al Jazeera to register as foreign agent

The Department of Justice accused AJ+ of acting "at the direction and control” of Qatar.

Justice Department ordered Turkish TV station to register as foreign agent

Saudi Arabia turns to Democrat-tied lobbyists for Capitol Hill relationship advice

Why the UAE is paying for America’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai

UAE hires its second former Samantha Power aide to defend itself at UN

Middle East lobbyists pay op-ed writers to sell their message

Intel: Democrats double down on probe into Trump’s Saudi nuclear dealings

Lawmaker-turned-Saudi lobbyist raises eyebrows with campaign donations

Intel: How Khashoggi’s disappearance is upending $50 million Gulf lobby

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